Rio de Janeiro in 5 days

Beaches, mountains, and samba in the most dramatically situated city on earth. Best time to visit: May-October (drier, cooler). Average daily budget: $60 to $120 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Copacabana, The famous crescent beach. Busy, touristy, but the energy is unmatched at sunrise.

Morning: Christ the Redeemer at opening. Go on a clear morning - book the first cog train slot before clouds roll in.

Afternoon: Explore Copacabana, The famous crescent beach. Busy, touristy, but the energy is unmatched at sunrise.

Evening: Sugarloaf at sunset. Two-stage cable car. Time it for golden hour over Guanabara Bay.

Eat: Feijoada on a Saturday at Casa da Feijoada

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Ipanema, More upscale and relaxed than Copa. Best beach to base yourself, great bars off the sand.

Morning: Parque Lage café at the foot of Corcovado - jungle courtyard, almost no tourists.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Ipanema, More upscale and relaxed than Copa. Best beach to base yourself, great bars off the sand.

Evening: Beach day on Ipanema. Rent a chair, drink água de coco, watch the sunset crowd applaud at Posto 9.

Eat: Pão de queijo and a cafezinho from any padaria

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Santa Teresa, Hilltop bohemian quarter, cobbled streets, art studios, the famous tram.

Morning: Mirante Dona Marta for the Christ-and-city shot without the summit crowds.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Santa Teresa, Hilltop bohemian quarter, cobbled streets, art studios, the famous tram.

Evening: Samba night in Lapa. Rio Scenarium or Pedra do Sal on a Monday for the live, local version.

Eat: Açaí na tigela from a beach kiosk

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Lapa, Nightlife central, the arches, samba clubs spilling onto the street on weekends.

Morning: Feira de São Cristóvão for northeastern food and forró on weekends.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Lapa, Nightlife central, the arches, samba clubs spilling onto the street on weekends.

Evening: Praia Vermelha, a tiny calm beach below Sugarloaf that most visitors miss.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Picanha at a rodízio churrascaria

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Leblon, Quieter, leafy, the safest and priciest beachfront neighbourhood.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Leblon, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Leblon, Quieter, leafy, the safest and priciest beachfront neighbourhood.

Evening: Dinner at Feijoada on a Saturday at Casa da Feijoada, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Leblon.

Eat: Feijoada on a Saturday at Casa da Feijoada

Hidden gems

Parque Lage café at the foot of Corcovado - jungle courtyard, almost no tourists.
Mirante Dona Marta for the Christ-and-city shot without the summit crowds.
Feira de São Cristóvão for northeastern food and forró on weekends.
Praia Vermelha, a tiny calm beach below Sugarloaf that most visitors miss.

Getting around

Use Uber for everything - it's cheap, safe and removes taxi haggling. The metro is clean and handy between Copacabana, Ipanema and the centre. Avoid walking with valuables on quiet streets after dark.

Safety

Rio rewards street smarts. Carry little, leave the good watch at home, and stick to busy, well-lit areas. Beaches are fine by day but thin out fast at dusk. Use Uber rather than walking between neighbourhoods at night, and skip favelas unless on a vetted tour.

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